Toilet exhaust means

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for withdrawing fetid air from a toilet includes a manifold mounted for easy disengagement at the rear of the seat and which has associated therewith a separable inlet conduit that also functions cooperatively with a base plate to secure the manifold in mounted position on the toilet bowl. Suction producing means connect with the manifold to withdraw air through the inlet.

[ 1 Nov. 26, 1974 United States Patent [191 Olson et a1.

[ TOILET EXHAUST MEANS Carman 2,380,891 7/1945 Wheeler.,.... lnvetltOrS.Carl 0- L- 018011, Kirkland Ave., Seattle, Wash. 98133; Vernon 311 W2; 2Primary Examiner-John W. Huckert Assistant Examiner-Jon W. Henry June21, 1973 [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for withdrawing fetid air from a toilet in- 21Appl. No.: 372,l62

52] US. Cl. 4/213 cludes a manifold mounted for easy disengagement atthe rear of the seat and which has associated therewith a separableinlet conduit that also functions coopera- [51] Int.

[58] Field of Search.............. 4/72, 209, 217, 83, 94

tively with a base plate to secure the manifold in mounted position onthe toilet bowl. Suction producing means connect with the manifold towithdraw air through the inlet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Claims, Drawing Figures1,861,501 6/1932 Lowther.......,..........................4/2131,862,085 6/1932 Hertzog 4/213 TOILET EXIUST MEANS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is particularlydirected to withdrawing fetid air from a toilet bowl.

2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous devices and apparatus forventilating toilet bowls and their environs have been observed. Ingeneral they are known to employ headers or manifold means mounted on atoilet bowl and include an inlet orifice or orifices adjacent to the rimof a bowlwith suction-producing means associated with the header, eitherremote relative the bowl as in Mundens US. Pat. No. 3,523,309, or closeto the bowl and tank as in Coxs US. Pat. No. 3,585,651, or Kirkland US.Pat. No. 3,120,665. A principal difficulty encountered with the knownprior devices is that they are so permanently and fixedly associatedwith the toilet bowl as to practically preclude their easy removal forcleaning as an incident of normal toilet bowl santitation operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is for use with a toilet bowlhaving a horizontal surface at the rear in which there is a pair ofbroad shallow void below and behind the toilet seat. A

manifold is disengageably secured to said studs and extends transverselyacross said surface behind and somewhat above said studs. One end of themanifold is open to receive a conduit extending to suction-producingmeans. The manifold. has a nipple that projects through and occupiessaid void between the studs. An inlet conpermits the disengagement ofthe manifold from the toilet bowl.

, It is therefore the primary object of this invention to providesimple, inexpensive, easily attached air withdrawal means for toiletswith may very simply be manually disassembled and disengaged for routineand rapid cleansing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of atoilet equipped with the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of the main componentsof this apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view in the plane 3-3indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional. view in the plane 4-4 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electric switching and activationsystem by which suction-producing means is energized.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGSJ and 2 is shown a toiletbowl 10 having an encircling rim 12 and a horizontal surface 14 at therear of the bowl. The usual flush tank l6 is mounted on wall 18 at therear of the how] 10.

Studs 20,20 upstand in spaced apart relation, at the rear of rim 12,from surface 14. Bosses 22 (See FIG. 4) attach to studs 20 and providean elevated pivot axis 24 for the hinge members 26 attached to the rearof seat 28 which normally during use overlies in spaced relation bowlrim l2. Tubular member 30 extending between paired bosses 22, 22defines, with said bosses at the sides and with the horizontal surface14, a void or passage extending longitudinally from behind the Studs20,20 to close proximity to the rear of seat 28. It is in this void orpassage that the separable parts of the exhaust apparatus are assembledand confined when the apparatus is mounted on the toilet bowl l0.

Tubular manifold 30 surmounts surface 14 and is disposed behind andparallel to studs 20,20. Manifold 30' is closed at one end 32 and hasopen-end 34. A tubular nipple 36, extending forward from its connectionwith manifold 30 projects toward rim l2. Nipple 36 is preferablyrectangular in cross-section as shown. When mounted on the bowl 10,nipple 36 occupies in part the described void or passage between studs20,20.

Tubular conduit 38 has a rearwardly directed exhaust portion 40 whichalso extends into said void and couples preferably telescopically, withnipple 36. Conduit 38 has a adit portion 42 provided with an inletopening 44. Said portion normally depends within the bowl 10 in closejuxtaposition to rim 12 at the rear. Thus opening 44 is shielded. Thetelescopic association of inlet nipple 36 and conduit 38 permitsaccomodation of varying spacings that may be encountered between adesired or required location of manifold 30 and the inside rear of a rim12.

In addition to manifold 30 being separably coupled to tubular conduit 38as described, manifold 30 is also separably coupled to bowl 10. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention base plate 50 is substantiallypermanently secured on surface 14 by end lugs 52, 52 each having a notch54 which embraces a stud 20. Bosses 22 on studs 20 bear on the lugs 52in securing plate 50 to the bowl structures. Plate 50 has a broad andshallow groove 56 disposed longitudinally between lugs 52,52.

The assembled nipple 36 and conduit ,38 nest in groove 56 between its 4and 5.

Manifold 30 is detachably secured to plate 50 by means of upstandinglugs 58, 58 on plate 50, and forward extending lugs 60, 60 on manifold30. Lugs 60, 60 are disposed on like sides of lugs 58, 58. Interfittingpins 62 and sockets 64, comprising interfitted male/- female joinderelements permit transverse engagement but prevent longitudinalseparation of manifold 30 from plate 50. Joinder elements 62, 64 areengaged or disengaged by movement of the manifold 30 in a transversedirection. Transverse movement of manifold 30 when joined to plate 50 isprecluded by the exhaust portion of conduit 38. When telescopicallyassembled with nipple 36, with the manifold extending into said void andnestedin groove 56, and interlock is provided.

side walls as may best be seen in FIGS.

When it is desired to disassemble the apparatus for the cleaning of theair passage parts, conduit 38 is withdrawn from groove 56 and disengagedfrom nipple 36. Manifold 30 may then be moved transversely to disengagepins 62 from sockets 64. Normally nipple 36 is maintained in a planeslightly above groove 56 as shown in FIG. 4, aided in this respect byknob or rib 70 on the underside of manifold 30 which bears on surface14.

Suction-producing means is associated with the venting apparatus at theopen end 34 of manifold 30. A tube 80 having end fitting 82 coupled tothe manifold extends to housing 84. Tube 80 is coupled to fan housing86. The fan 87 therein is driven by motor 85. The fan discharge passesthrough filter 88. Electrical power may be derived from electric outlet88 in wall 18. Alternatively the suction-producing means may be remotelyinstalled within or beyond wall 18 and connected to the ventingapparatus on the bowl by the tube 90.

It will be apparent that motor 95 may be activated by numerous types ofmanual or pressure switches. However, in the interest of regular andautomatic operation it is preferred to provide switching meanscontrolled by the presence of a user of the bowl. One such typicalsystem is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5.

A body-capacitance-sensitive proximity sensor 92, located within orclose to manifold 30, is connected to the illustrative solid-stateelectronic circuit in which:

94 is the power inlet 01 is a 220 mfd. mica applicator O2 is a l-lO mfd.variable capacitor 03 is a 4.7 mfd. 25v. electrolytic capacitor.

R-l is a 15,0000, lw. resistor R-2 is a 3,300Q /w. resistor 2-D is a10v. Zener diode Q is an NPN transistor SCR is a silicon controlledrectifier K is a 24v. DC relay.

In phantom in FIG. 4 is shown an alternate form of manifold 31 in whichthere is a descending passage 35 that curves and merges with a generallyhorizontal nipple 36. This form is useful when the bowl to tankarrangement is close or tight tending to limit the rearward extension ofthe manifold structure.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiments of this novel toiletexhaust apparatus is disclosed, it is to be understood that changes inconstruction may be made to accommodate varying conditions. All such asfall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from thespirit of the invention are intended to be covered by this patent.

What is claimed is:

1. In a toilet apparatus comprised of a toilet bowl having an upper rearhorizontal surface in which there is a pair of upstanding spaced-apartstuds disposed transversely across said surface to receive meansproviding for the pivotal attachment of a seat to swing about an axisspaced above said horizontal surface sufficiently to establish a broadrelatively shallow void above said horizontal surface and beneath saidseat extending fore-and-aft between said studs; the improvementcomprising:

a tubular, manifold rearward of said void extending parallel to saidstuds;

separable coupling means between said manifold and said studsdisengageable upon movement of said manifold along its longitudinalaxis;

a tubular conduit having an inlet orifice located in the rear of saidtoilet bowl and including a rearwardly directed exhaust portionextending into said void;

a tubular nipple extending forward from said manifold and telescopicallyassociated with said exhaust portion of said tubular conduit;

retainer means associated with said bowl and embracing saidtelescopically assembled conduit and nipple to preclude movement of saidmanifold along its longitudinal axis while said tubular conduit and saidtubular nipple are telescopically assembled; and

suction-producing means operatively coupled to said manifold forwithdrawing air from said bowl through said inlet-orifice.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said separable coupling meanscomprises juxtaposed pairs of lugs disposed between said manifold andsaid studs, said lugs being joined by male/female interfitted elements.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which the retainer means precludinglongitudinal movement of said manifold comprises upstanding abutmentwalls at the sides of the exhaust portion of said telescopicallyassembled conduit and nipple.

4. The structure of claim 1 in which the tubular conduit has a dependingportion in the rear of said toilet bowl and said inlet orifice islocated in the lower extremity of said depending portion.

5. The structure of claim 1 in which the suctionproducing means includesan electric motor driven fan which is energized by relay-operated switchmeans controlled by a body-capacitance-sensitive switch located in theproximity of said void.

6. In a toilet apparatus comprised of a toilet bowl having an upper rearhorizontal surface in which there is a pair of upstanding spaced-apartstuds disposed transversely across said surface to receive meansproviding for the pivotal attachment of a seat to swing about an axisspaced above said horizontal surface sufficiently to establish a broadrelatively shallow void above said horizontal surface, and beneath saidseat extending fore-and-aft between said studs; the improvement,comprising:

a base plate on said horizontal surface attached to and extendingbetween said studs;

said base plate having a broad shallow groove extending fore-and-aftbetween said studs in the bottom of said void;

a tubular manifold at the rear of said void extending normal to saidgroove;

separable coupling means between said manifold and said base platedisengageable upon lateral movement of said manifold relative said baseplate groove;

a tubular conduit having an inlet orifice located in the rear of saidtoilet bowl and including a rearwardly directed exhaust portionextending through said void and nested in said base plate groove;

a tubular nipple extending forward from said manifold and telescopicallyassociated with said exhaust portion of said tubular conduit; and

suction-producing means operatively coupled to said manifold forwithdrawing air from said bowl through said inlet orifice.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which the means preclucing longitudinalmovement of said manifold comprises juxtaposed pairs of lugs betweensaid manifold and said base plate joined by male/female interfittedelements.

1. In a toilet apparatus comprised of a toilet bowl having an upper rearhorizontal surface in which there is a pair of upstanding spaced-apartstuds disposed transversely across said surface to receive meansproviding for the pivotal attachment of a seat to swing about an axisspaced above said horizontal surface sufficiently to establish a broadrelatively shallow void above said horizontal surface and beneath saidseat extending fore-and-aft between said studs; the improvementcomprising: a tubular, manifold rearward of said void extending parallelto said studs; separable coupling means between said manifold and saidstuds disengageable upon movement of said manifold along itslongitudinal axis; a tubular conduit having an inlet orifice located inthe rear of said toilet bowl and including a rearwardly directed exhaustportion extending into said void; a tubular nipple extending forwardfrom said manifold and telescopically associated with said exhaustportion of said tubular conduit; retainer means associated with saidbowl and embracing said telescopically assembled conduit and nipple topreclude movement of said manifold along its longitudinal axis whilesaid tubular conduit and said tubular nipple are telescopicallyassembled; and suction-producing means operatively coupled to saidmanifold for withdrawing air from said bowl through said inlet-orifice.2. The structure of claim 1 in which said separable coupling meanscomprises juxtaposed pairs of lugs disposed between said manifold andsaid studs, said lugs being joined by male/female interfitted elements.3. The structure of claim 1 in which the retainer means precludinglongitudinal movement of said manifold comprises upstanding abutmentwalls at the sides of the exhaust portion of said telescopicallyassembled conduit and nipple.
 4. The structure of claim 1 in which thetubular conduit has a depending portion in the rear of said toilet bowland said inlet orifice is located in the lower extremity of saiddepending portion.
 5. The structure of claim 1 in which thesuction-producing means includes an electric motor driven fan which isenergized by relay-operated switch means Controlled by abody-capacitance-sensitive switch located in the proximity of said void.6. In a toilet apparatus comprised of a toilet bowl having an upper rearhorizontal surface in which there is a pair of upstanding spaced-apartstuds disposed transversely across said surface to receive meansproviding for the pivotal attachment of a seat to swing about an axisspaced above said horizontal surface sufficiently to establish a broadrelatively shallow void above said horizontal surface, and beneath saidseat extending fore-and-aft between said studs; the improvement,comprising: a base plate on said horizontal surface attached to andextending between said studs; said base plate having a broad shallowgroove extending fore-and-aft between said studs in the bottom of saidvoid; a tubular manifold at the rear of said void extending normal tosaid groove; separable coupling means between said manifold and saidbase plate disengageable upon lateral movement of said manifold relativesaid base plate groove; a tubular conduit having an inlet orificelocated in the rear of said toilet bowl and including a rearwardlydirected exhaust portion extending through said void and nested in saidbase plate groove; a tubular nipple extending forward from said manifoldand telescopically associated with said exhaust portion of said tubularconduit; and suction-producing means operatively coupled to saidmanifold for withdrawing air from said bowl through said inlet orifice.7. The structure of claim 6 in which the means preclucing longitudinalmovement of said manifold comprises juxtaposed pairs of lugs betweensaid manifold and said base plate joined by male/female interfittedelements.